Court overturns executive order that replaced Columbus Day in Philadelphia

Friday, August 8, 2025
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A court has overturned an executive order that replaced Columbus Day in Philadelphia.

The order, signed in 2021 by then-Mayor Jim Kenney, replaced the holiday with Indigenous Peoples' Day.

The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court issued the ruling this week.

City Councilman Mark Squilla and several Italian-American organizations sued Kenney, arguing a pattern of discrimination against Italian-Americans.

The appeals court ruled that Kenney didn't have the power to rename Columbus Day, and that it would be up to city council.
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